Topsham Thirds 7 - Crediton Thirds 50

CREDITON RFC Third XV began 2025 just as they had departed 2024, with another outstanding victory at Topsham.

A win that demonstrated the strength in depth throughout the Club as, with a number of players not available, we can still put out a third XV capable of destroying most sides in the Merit Table.

The victory keeps us at the top of the Merit Table and maintains the pressure on the chasing pack.

There were initial early morning concerns about the frost and whether the pitch would be playable but the morning thaw provide a nice albeit somewhat sticky pitch.

We were dominant throughout the game although a few handling errors, understandable in the cold weather, provided Topsham with a few opportunities and their pacey threequarters did cause a few problems.

However, our defence was rock solid and Ben Rodd produced yet another outstanding performance with some really powerful tackling and topped it off with a really good try.

Topsham had an early score but that really was as good as it got for them so far as the scoreline was concerned but they did have several moments in the game where, against less effective defenders, they would undoubtedly have scored.

Joe Crocker, unusually playing in his favoured position on the wing, scored out wide and back rower Euan Phillip playing at 13 for the first time, scored a great try.

Another former colt Tom Cooper, on his senior rugby debut, capped a fine performance with two tries apart from causing the hosts a lot of issues at flyhalf.

Replacement, Wayne Reed, capitalised on a fantastic 15 metre rolling maul to break off and for last five metres and score under the posts although he will doubtless claim it came from a 30 metre sprint.

Aiden White fresh after a few months absence scored an amazing solo try running through and dodging defenders all the way from his own 22 to score under the posts.

The evergreen Bradley Baker seems to be scoring just for fun these days, this time cutting another fine line to take Topsham by surprise and run in under the posts for his ninth in 13 games this season.

Owen Cooper had a good day off the tee with five out of eight Conversions!!

With a few key players missing the lads really stepped up and with performances like that there will be strong competition for shirts in the coming weeks!

A mention to Greg B Phillips who has been instrumental in the Third teams recent successes having to leave the field early with a nasty knee injury after yet another strong performance and we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.

Credit goes to our hosts for making us work hard for the win, it's great to see another genuine Third team in the league and we wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

With quite a few players not available this week, the strength in depth at the Club shone throughout the three teams.

The Thirds host Exeter Engineers Seconds, always a competitive side so this should be another entertaining game.

The Colts entertain Ivybridge in the Colts Cup.